NTUC's response to Second Quarter 2007
31 July 2007
Media Statement
1. The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) welcomes the record gain in employment and a drop in the unemployment rate in the second quarter 2007 as a result of a robust economic growth.
2. The Ministry of Manpower’s latest employment figures indicate that Singapore’s growth potential has become higher and that more jobs have been created here. To satisfy employers’ increasing manpower needs, it is inevitable that we need to supplement our local workforce with foreign manpower. However, we urge employers to also leverage existing local manpower sources, namely older workers and female workers – as they are still able to continue to contribute to the economy.
3. On tapping of older workers’ experience and value, Ms Cham Hui Fong, Nominated Member of Parliament and Director, Industrial Relations Department, NTUC, said: “During their prime, older workers have contributed much to our economy and we must remember their efforts and sacrifices. Many of them are still willing and able to continue working. Thus, we should look after these older workers’ needs by letting them reap the benefits – more job opportunities – of a robust economic growth.
4. “We call on more employers to adopt good employment practices that would help in the re-employability of older workers, as they can still add value to their companies and the economy. We will continue to work with the tripartite partners to enhance the re-employability of older workers in these areas: enhance older workers’ employability; improve companies’ HR policies; redesign jobs and workplaces; adopt age neutral wage structure; and train older workers for new job roles.”
5. On getting female Singaporeans to contribute to the economy, Mdm Halimah Yacob, Assistant Secretary-General, NTUC, said: “We encourage more employers to leverage on the strength of the local female population, many of whom have left the workforce mid-way through their careers to raise their children. However, returning to the workforce for them could be a daunting task as their skills and qualifications may no longer be relevant to the needs of the economy.
6. “Thus, we are working with the tripartite partners to help more women, through skills upgrading, training, job fairs and job placements, get back to work as they are a ready source of manpower for employers. We also urge more employers to implement flexible work schemes, such as part-time work or telecommuting, so that more working women, with young children or elderly parents to take care of, can continue to work. This will also make it easier for those who have left to re-enter the workforce.”
7. In conclusion, we hope that more employers would heed our call to make better use of mature workers and back-to-work women to meet their manpower requirements.
Ms Shona Tan
Director
Corporate Communications Department
National Trades Union Congress
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